To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passengers travelled on the lines currently run by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years. [82499]
The figures for passenger miles and passenger journeys for each of the last five years are shown in the table. Figures for the five years before that are not available.
| million | ||
| Year | Passenger miles | Passenger journeys |
| 1993–94 | 1,218 | 14 |
| 1994–95 | 1,139 | 14 |
| 1995–96 | 1,211·4 | 14·4 |
| 1996–97 | 1,270 | 15 |
| 1997–98 | 1,383·1 | 16·4 |
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many trains operated by Great Western Trains were cancelled in each of the last two years; and if he will estimate the number of passengers affected by these cancellations. [82493]
The Figures in the Franchising Director's Quarterly Bulletin (December 1998)—copies in the House Library—show that for the year ending December 1997 0·6 per cent. of trains were cancelled by Great Western Trains and that for the year ending December 1998 the figure was 1 per cent. It is not possible to estimate the number of passengers affected by these cancellations as these are walk-on services.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the timetable for the Government's negotiations with Great Western Trains for the extension, or termination, of their franchise. [82497]
The Great Western Trains Limited franchise agreement is for a period of 10 years from 4 February 1996. We made it clear at the Rail Summit in February that we are prepared to renegotiate existing franchises if operators come forward with proposals which offer substantial benefits for passengers and value for money for the taxpayer. There is no timetable for this either generally or in respect of Great Western Trains specifically.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff were employed on the lines currently operated by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years. [82494]
The information requested is not available. Under the present franchise agreements, Train Operating Companies' (TOCs) performance is measured on prescribed outputs such as service levels. Inputs such as numbers of staff employed are matters for the TOCs.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of trains operated by Great Western Trains have been more than five minutes late in each of the last two years; and what was the average total delay on those trains. [82496]
The information is not available in the format requested. The Franchising Director was requested to base his assessment of lateness on those applied under British Rail immediately before privatisation. For InterCity trains, such as those operated by Great Western Trains, the definition of lateness was a train that arrived at its destination more than 9 minutes and 59 seconds late.The figures in the latest issue of the Franchising Director's Quarterly Bulletin (December 1998)—copies in the House Library—show that the proportion of trains recorded as late (against the above definition) for the year ending December 1997 was 13·3 per cent. and for the year ending December 1998 was 15·5 per cent. Figures for average total delay are not recorded.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the rates of investment in the infrastructure, rolling stock and passenger services on the lines currently run by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years and (b) the planned investment for each of the next 10 years. [82498]
This information is not available.